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Posted on 12/20/2019 by Dr. Michael Allard |
Sleep apnea affects many people across the world. Major symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, trouble staying asleep, and fatigue because of restless nights. Sleep apnea can be classified under two categories: obstructive and central. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by obstruction in the airway while sleeping. This could include grinding your teeth at night or being overweight. Central sleep apnea is a neurological issue where your brain tells you to stop breathing at various times of the night. You Should Never Try To Cure Serious Conditions Without Professional GuidanceDuring the search to cure your sleep apnea, you may have stumbled upon a device that offers support to your jaw while you sleep. The objective of a jaw supporting device is to keep the mouth closed while you sleep. They are advertised as helping with sleep apnea and snoring alike, however, they may not be the most effective device when it comes to curing your sleep apnea.Depending on your type of sleep apnea and what causes it may make jaw supporting devices ineffective at helping you get a good night's rest. These devices are usually prescribed to patients who keep their mouth open at night while using a nasal pillow with a CPAP machine. Used in conjunction with a nasal pillow, they are effective at helping solve obstructive sleep apnea, but alone they may be useless. What makes using a jaw supporting device risky without consulting us first is that they can actually make your sleep apnea worse. If you suffer from central sleep apnea, a jaw supporting device may make it even more difficult to breath at night. Before going out and getting a jaw supporting device, come visit us first. We can help you figure out the right solution to your sleep apnea and make sure you don't harm yourself by using over-the-counter devices. Give us a call today, and we'll be happy to set up an appointment! |